New rules for emptying ponds have been set by an order from the Minister of Ecological Transition. Several associations in Poitou-Charentes have contested this decision before the Council of State in recent weeks. But the latter confirmed the ministerial decree which currently prohibits emptying. Reaction and explanations in Deux-Sèvres.
For all pond owners, the decision of the State Council was long awaited. Because several associations in central France, including the unions of Étangs Poitou-Charentes, hoped to cancel the order of the Minister of Ecological Transition, setting the new technical requirements applicable to bodies of waterin particular on the new emptying methods.
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But the applicants were rejected by the Council of State of their request cancellation of theorder dating from August 2023. This decree was put in place to regulate the oil change period. All framed by the overall water management plan. Which has the consequence of drastically reduce the period when it is possible to empty your body of water.
The Deux-Sèvres department has 3,500 ponds. • © France TV
For pond owners, anger gives way to worry. In fact, for decades, this autumn period has been the preferred time to drain bodies of water.
There is a risk of disappearance of the fish farming profession
Daniel Ferret
Member of the Pond Development Union in Poitou-Charentes
On his farm, Frédérik Lemasson, Freshwater aquaculturist, collects fish every year. But, from now on, it is forced to drain on specific dates, over a short period, in the spring: ” the new regulations impose emptying periods and prohibit us from fishing in our ponds during the most appropriate periods “.
Premature drains which create losses notably by letting eggs escape.
Several dead fish are floating on the ponds. • © France TV
On the contrary, too late oil changes also have negative impacts : “compared to the surface of the pond, there is a risk of having too many fish and in the end, they suffocate themselves. There won’t necessarily be enough food and the waters won’t necessarily be clear enough “.
Frédérik Lemasson says he has lost two tonnes of fish in a month and a half, i.e. a loss estimated at 11 000 euros.
Daniel Ferret, member of the pond development union in Poitou-Charentes and Vendée. • © France TV
The concern does not only affect the owners of 3,500 ponds listed in the Deux-Sèvres department. The Ponds Development Union in Poitou-Charentes also fears the future, particularly for fish farmers: ” There is a risk of disappearance of the fish farming profession. If we don’t produce, there is no income, the professionals therefore risk disappearing, it’s mechanical “, notes Daniel Ferret, member of the union.
In Deux-Sèvres, there are around fifty professional fish farmers.
But Frédérik Lemasson, who took over his parents’ farm a few years ago, is forced to combine his job as a fish farmer with a second activity due to the current lack of profitability.
Except on exemption from the prefecture, these professionals will not be able to drain before next spring.
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